Improve the sound on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from bass to clarity

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still a popular smartphone among music lovers and gamers, but the factory sound settings often leave much to be desired. Weak bass, muted high frequencies or quiet sound in speakers are familiar problems? In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to improve the sound, from hidden MIUI settings to hardware modifications (without risk to warranty).

It's important to understand that sound quality depends on three components -- software processing (equalizers, codec), hardware (dynamics, 3.5 mm connector) and signal source (music files, streaming). We're all three things, so even if you already have top-end headphones, you'll find useful life hacks here. Let's start with the simplest one: optimizing system parameters.

1. Set up the built-in MIUI equalizer

The standard equalizer in the Redmi Note 8 Pro is hidden deep in the menu, but gives a noticeable increase in quality. To find it, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Quality → Equator. There are 5 preset profiles (Normal, Bass, Classics, etc.), but they can be edited manually.

For bass amplifier, we recommend lifting sliders 60 Hz and 230 Hz by +3-4 dB, and for vocal clarity, increase 3-6 kHz by +2 dB. Note that too much low-frequency amplification on cheap headphones can cause distortion. If you hear wheezing, reduce bass levels or activate the Option for Distortion Suppression (available in some versions of MIUI).

• 🎵 For music: Basa's profile + manual adjustment of the average frequencies (+1 dB per 1 kHz).
• 🎮 For games: Voice profile - will emphasize the sounds of shots and steps.
• 📺 For video: Cinema profile or manual 100-300 Hz amplification for explosions.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI To avoid this, export the profile to the file via the Save button in the upper right corner.

Activation of Hi-Res Audio and LDAC

The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports Hi-Res Audio (high sampling rate up to 192 kHz/24 bits), but by default this feature is disabled.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
2. Go back to Settings → More → For developers and find the Bluetooth Sound Quality option.
3. Select LDAC (for Sony headphones) or AAC (for AirPods/Earbuds).

For wired headphones, activate Hi-Res Audio in the same menu. When using LDAC, battery discharge increases by 10-15%, but the sound becomes noticeably cleaner, especially at frequencies above 16 kHz. If the headphones do not support Hi-Res, turning on this option will not have an effect.

💡

If the LDAC sound starts to break after activation, reduce the bitrate to 660 kbit / s in the codec settings (menu For developers → Bluetooth sound quality → Bitrate LDAC).

3. Improve sound through engineering menu

The engineering menu (#36446337##) allows you to fine-tune the settings of the Redmi Note 8 Pro sound card. After entering the code, select Hardware Testing → Audio. Here you can use speaker, microphone and volume control tests for different scenarios:

• 🔊 Speaker – volume of the main speaker (max. value – 160, but above 140 distortions may appear).
• 🎧 Headset – volume in headphones (recommended value – 120-130).
• 📞 Ring – the volume of the call (can be increased to 150 for the street).

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are irreversible and can damage the speakers if the limits are exceeded.If the sound becomes hoarse after the changes, reset via Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset network settings (this will return sound parameters to factory settings).

Installation of third-party equalizers (ViPER4Android, Wavelet)

The built-in equalizer MIUI is inferior to specialized applications.The best options for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. ViPER4Android FX — supports convolvers (simulation of acoustics of concert halls), dynamic compressor and 3D-It requires Magisk to work properly.
2. Wavelet is easier to set up, has a built-in frequency analyzer and profiles for popular headphones (Sony, Sennheiser, Apple).
3. Poweramp Equalizer – optimized for music, supports presets by genres (rock, classics, hip-hop).

For installation of ViPER4Android:

1. Install Magisk and ViPER4Android module (you can download it from the XDA forum).


2.In Magisk Manager, activate the module and restart the phone.




3. Run ViPER4Android, select the Legacy Mode driver and set up a profile.

Install Magisk| Download ViPER4Android (ARM64 version)| Disable the built-in MIUI |Disable Backup of the sound settings-->

Recommended settings for ViPER4Android for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• 🎛️ FIR-Equalizer: Raise 50–100 Hz by +3 dB, 3-6 kHz per +1 dB.
• 🔄 Convolver: Use Sony's impulse response MDR-7506 (You can download it on Reddit).
• 🎧 Effects: Enable Dynamic System (enhances quiet sounds) and ViPER Bass (for the purpose of the new system) EDM/hip-hop).

5. Sound optimization for specific applications

Different apps use audio settings differently, like YouTube ignoring the system equalizer, and Spotify has its own. Here's how to customize the sound for specific services:

For Discord and Zoom, it's not volume that matters, it's voice clarity.

• 🎤 V ViPER4Android Turn on Voice Clarity and turn off the bass.
• 🔇 In the microphone settings, activate Noise Suppression (available in the MIUI 12+).

💡

Not only is sound critical for gaming, but latency is critical. Use the aptX Low Latency codec (if supported by headphones) or AAC with a bitrate of 256 kbps.

6. Hardware improvements: from cleaning speakers to modifications

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the physical condition of the speakers, and over time they get clogged with dust, which leads to a muffled sound.

1. Use a soft brush (for example, for makeup) or a compressed air balloon (sold in electronics stores).
2. To remove sticky contaminants, moisten the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (no more than 70% concentration!).
3. Blow the speakers at minimum volume (play back the test signal 100 Hz).

If the sound is still quiet, check the integrity of the speaker grid. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, it often departs after falls.

• 🛠️ Double-sided Scotch (for fixing the net).
• 🔧 Epoxy glue (for cracks in the speaker body).

⚠️ Warning: If the sound gets worse after cleaning (there is a crack), the speaker membrane is probably damaged, in which case only a replacement module will help (cost - from 800 rubles in service centers).

For fans of experiments, there is a variant of modifying the speakers:

7. Alternative solutions: external DAC and headphones

If you're serious about sound, you should consider external digital-to-analog converters (DACs), which bypass the smartphone's built-in sound card to provide a clean signal.

• 🎧 iBasso DC05 (USB-C, price ~5 000 rub. 32-bit/384 kHz MQA.
• 🎧 DragonFly Black (price) ~10 000 rubles.) - compact DAC with an output power of 1.2 V.
• 🎧 XDuoo XD-05 Plus (price) ~15 000 rubles.) - for stationary use with a balanced yield.

When connecting the DAC:

1. Use it. USB-Debugging (included in Settings) → For developers).
2. Install the USB Audio Player PRO app to manage bitrate.
3. In the sound settings, select USB-audio as the main output device.

For budget sound improvement, just change the headphones.The best options for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

FAQ: Frequent Sound Questions on Redmi Note 8 Pro